My 2025 Trip to Giza, Memphis & Saqqara: A Real Review

So, you are thinking about a trip to see the big pointy things in the desert. Honestly, I get it. For what feels like my whole life, I’ve seen pictures of the Pyramids of Giza. They’re on TV, in books, you know, they’re pretty much everywhere. Still, actually being there is a whole different story. This one-day circuit, which takes you from the world-famous structures at Giza to the more ancient grounds of Saqqara and then to the old capital of Memphis, is sort of the classic introduction to ancient Egypt right outside Cairo. As a matter of fact, it’s a very long, very dusty, and, to be honest, an absolutely mind-bending day. It’s almost impossible to really get your head around the amount of history you are walking through. My visit in 2025 was something I planned for ages, and now I want to share what it was really like, beyond just the postcard pictures. You will likely want some honest ideas for your Giza and Saqqara day out and that is what I hope to give you.

The Morning Showdown: Giza’s Great Pyramids and the Sphinx

Alright, so we made it a point to get to the Giza Plateau super early. I mean, the sun was just starting to feel warm, and the air was still, like, kind of cool. Driving up, you see them poke out from behind the city buildings, and honestly, that view alone is pretty wild. But then you get out of the car, and you’re just standing there at the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. You really can’t get a sense of the scale from photos. Like, not at all. Each stone block is almost as tall as I am. You just stand there and stare, and your brain kind of short-circuits for a second. The air smells like sand and sun, and there’s a low hum of people’s voices from all over the world, which is actually kind of cool. We found a great guide who helped make the whole visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx feel personal and not so overwhelming.

I decided to go inside the Great Pyramid, you know, just to say I did it. To be honest, if you’re a bit worried about tight spaces, you might want to think about this one. You’re basically climbing up a very steep, very narrow wooden ramp in a passageway that hasn’t changed in thousands of years. It’s hot and the air is thick, and you are literally ducking your head the whole time. Then, you get to the King’s Chamber, which is just this empty, granite room. I mean, there’s nothing in there. But just standing in that space, in the very heart of this ancient thing, was sort of deeply moving in a weird way. It was a good time to reflect on what it’s truly like inside the Great Pyramid, and I’m glad I pushed myself to do it.

After the pyramid adventure, we walked over to the Sphinx. Now, obviously, this is another one of those things you’ve seen a million times. It’s smaller than I pictured in my head, but at the same time, it has this incredible presence. You can’t get right up and touch it anymore, which is probably for the best. You’re on a viewing platform with everyone else, all trying to get that classic photo where it looks like you’re kissing the Sphinx. It’s pretty funny to watch, actually. You look at its old face and the missing nose, and you just wonder what stories it could tell. Getting a good picture is almost a sport here, and honestly, our guide shared some secret spots for the best photos of the Sphinx that made a real difference.

A little piece of advice for Giza, there will be a lot of guys trying to sell you things. I mean, from the second you step out of your car. They will offer you camel rides, headscarves, little statues, pretty much anything. Just a polite “la, shukran” (no, thank you) and keep walking. As for the camel rides, they can be fun for a picture, but just agree on the price *before* you get on. A good guide is super useful here; they can kind of act as a buffer and help you figure things out. Our guide made the entire experience with camel rides and local vendors much smoother and more enjoyable, so that is something to think about.

Stepping Back in Time at Saqqara’s Ancient Necropolis

So after the very energetic vibe of Giza, driving to Saqqara feels like you are entering a different world. It’s just a little ways south, but it is way quieter and more spread out over the desert. You can actually hear the wind here. The main event, of course, is the Step Pyramid of Djoser. This is, you know, kind of the grandfather of all the pyramids. It doesn’t have the smooth sides like the ones at Giza; instead, it’s made of six layers, like a big stone cake. It’s really wild to think that this was the very first attempt at building something so huge out of stone. Standing there, you get a real feeling of experimentation, like you are looking at an idea being born. You just kind of have to see the Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara up close to appreciate its place in history.

But Saqqara is way more than just the one pyramid. I mean, the whole area is this massive burial ground that was used for thousands of years. We got to go inside a few of the other tombs, called “mastabas,” which belonged to high officials. This was honestly the biggest surprise for me. You go down these little staircases into the ground, and suddenly you are in these rooms covered in carvings. And the colors! The paint is still there, literally thousands of years later. You see pictures of people farming, fishing, having parties. It’s like a comic book of daily life in ancient Egypt. To be honest, this part felt even more personal than the giant pyramids. Seeing the intricate art inside the tombs of Saqqara was my favorite part of the entire day.

At the entrance to the site, there’s this little museum, the Imhotep Museum, which you should definitely not skip. It’s named after the architect who designed the Step Pyramid, who was basically a genius. The museum is small and doesn’t take long to walk through, but it gives you so much context for what you are seeing outside. They have some of the original blue tiles from inside the pyramid complex and all these tools and statues found right there at Saqqara. As a matter of fact, there was a medical kit with bronze surgical instruments that looked terrifyingly modern. Seeing stuff like that makes you think. A visit to the Imhotep Museum is a must-do at Saqqara, and it really adds to the experience.

Now, practically speaking, Saqqara is a huge place. You will do a lot of walking on uneven, sandy ground. So, I mean, you have to wear comfortable shoes. Seriously. Also, there’s not a lot of shade, so a hat and water are your best friends. A guide here is really, really helpful because they know where all the best tombs are, and a lot of them are kind of hidden away. They can also explain the stories in the carvings, which brings everything to life. Basically, you can wander on your own, but with a guide, you will understand so much more about what you’re seeing, so following these tips for visiting Saqqara will make your day a lot better.

Memphis: Walking Through the Ruins of a Fallen Capital

Okay, so our last stop for the day was Memphis. You know, this used to be the capital of ancient Egypt for, like, a super long time. It was a massive, important city. Today, it’s basically an open-air museum in a small garden. To be honest, it doesn’t have that “wow” factor of Giza or the vastness of Saqqara. It’s a much smaller, quicker visit. But it’s totally worth the stop because it has a couple of absolute showstoppers that you just can’t see anywhere else. You just have to sort of adjust your expectations from giant structures to incredible artistic details. The short trip to see the ruins of the old capital of Memphis rounds out the day perfectly.

The main reason to come here is just sitting in its own special building: a truly giant statue of Ramesses II. I mean, this thing is enormous. The legs are broken off, so it’s lying on its back, but even then, it’s over 30 feet long. You walk up to it on this raised platform, and you are literally face-to-face with this pharaoh from more than 3,000 years ago. The detail is just insane. You can see the muscles carved in his chest and the fine lines of his headdress. The stone is so smooth it almost looks soft. I just stood there for a good ten minutes, staring at his face. Honestly, seeing the colossal statue of Ramesses II in Memphis is a humbling and pretty unforgettable experience.

Outside in the garden, there’s another Sphinx. This one is called the Alabaster Sphinx, and it’s a bit different from the one at Giza. It’s smaller and made from this single, huge piece of creamy-colored alabaster. Actually, it has a really serene and almost beautiful quality to it, unlike the more weathered and imposing one at Giza. It just kind of sits there looking peaceful. There are some other statues and broken bits of old columns scattered around the garden too. You can walk around in about twenty minutes. It’s a nice, quiet place to wander for a bit after the intensity of the other sites. Exploring the serene Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis provides a nice contrast to the rest of the day.

Recommendations: How to Structure Your Day Trip

So, you are probably wondering what the best order to see everything is. To be honest, there are two main ways to do it. You can do what we did: Giza first, then Saqqara, then Memphis. The big advantage here is that you get to Giza super early and beat the worst of the crowds and the heat. The downside is that Giza might almost overshadow the other sites. Or, you could do it in reverse: start with the oldest history at Saqqara, then see Memphis, and finish the day at Giza for sunset. Pretty much everyone agrees that seeing the pyramids in that golden afternoon light is amazing. At the end of the day, it depends on whether you’re a morning person or not. You really need a good itinerary for your Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis trip to make the most of it.

In terms of getting around, you basically have two choices: join a big bus tour or hire a private car with a guide and driver. I would really suggest the private car. Yes, it costs a little more, but you can go at your own pace. If you want to spend extra time looking at some carving in a tomb at Saqqara, you can. If you want to get out of Giza before the midday rush, you can. You’re not stuck on someone else’s schedule. Plus, having a guide just for you and your group means you can ask all the questions you want. At the end of the day, the flexibility is totally worth it, and finding a private guide for your Cairo pyramids tour can make or break the experience.

I cannot say this enough: you need to bring stuff with you. Like, it’s not a suggestion, it’s a rule. First, comfortable shoes. I mentioned this before, but you will walk more than you think. Second, sun protection. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are just non-negotiable. The sun is really strong. Third, water. Bring more than you think you will need. You can buy it there, but it is way more expensive. And, you know, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards is obvious. Also, having some small Egyptian pounds is good for tipping bathroom attendants or buying a soda. Honestly, thinking about what you should pack for a pyramids day trip beforehand is a lifesaver.

Now, let’s talk about food. Most day tours, whether private or group, will include lunch at a local restaurant. Usually, it’s a buffet or a set menu kind of place that’s used to dealing with tourists. I mean, the food is generally fine—you will probably get some grilled chicken or kofta, rice, different salads, and pita bread. It does the job. Obviously, it’s not going to be the most amazing meal you have in Egypt, but it’s a good way to rest in the middle of a very long day. If you are on your own, there are tons of little local spots, but the tour-included lunch is just easier. Learning a bit about the typical Egyptian food served on these tours helps set your expectations.

Was It All Worth It? A Final Look

I mean, at the end of the day, was it worth it? Absolutely. One hundred percent. You are covering about 4,000 years of human history in something like eight hours. It’s almost too much to process. It is a very long and tiring day. It can be hot, dusty, and you might get a little tired of people trying to sell you stuff. But then you stand in front of something that was built by people an almost unimaginable time ago, and all of that just kind of fades away. You really feel the weight of time, and it makes you feel very small, but in a good way. For anyone who is even a little interested in history, trying to figure out if a pyramids tour is actually worth doing is a simple question to answer: yes, it is.

If I could give just one last piece of advice, it would be this: pay for a good guide. I know I have said it before, but it is really the key. These are not just piles of rock; they are stories. They are expressions of a culture’s beliefs about life, death, and everything in between. A good Egyptologist guide can unlock those stories for you. They can read the hieroglyphs on the wall and tell you what they mean. They can point out details you would have walked right past. You know, you can look at the pyramids on your own and be amazed, but with a guide, you can start to understand them, and that’s a whole different experience. Finding the best Egypt tour guide for your family will truly change your trip for the better.